Red Fruit Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream

Red Fruit Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream is a medium American recipe that serves 8. 410 calories per serving. Recipe by Martha Stewart on YouTube.

Prep: 1 hr 5 min | Cook: 42 min | Total: 2 hrs 2 min

Cost: $12.58 total, $1.57 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cup All‑purpose flour (for crust (patsu cray extra))
  • 0.33 cup Granulated sugar (for crust)
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, ice‑cold (cut into ½‑inch pieces)
  • 3 large Egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoon All‑purpose flour (for pastry cream)
  • 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup Granulated sugar (for pastry cream)
  • 0.25 teaspoon Salt (for pastry cream)
  • 2 large Eggs (for pastry cream)
  • 2 cup Whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter (for pastry cream)
  • 1 bean Vanilla bean (seeds and pod, split lengthwise)
  • 0.5 zest Orange zest (zest of half a fresh orange)
  • 0.25 teaspoon Powdered gelatin (softened in 1 tbsp water)
  • 1 tablespoon Water (for gelatin)
  • 0.25 cup Heavy whipping cream (to fold into pastry cream)
  • 5 cup Mixed red berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.) (washed, stems removed)

Instructions

  1. Make the crust dough (patsu cray extra)

    In a food processor combine 2½ cups flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt. Pulse briefly, then add the cold butter pieces and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea‑size butter pieces.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Add egg yolks and form dough

    Add 3 egg yolks to the butter‑flour mixture and pulse just until the dough comes together in a ball. Do not over‑mix.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Chill the dough

    Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).

    Time: PT5M

  4. Roll out and fit tart pan

    On a lightly floured surface roll one disc to a 13‑inch circle. Gently lift the dough using the rolling pin and drape it over a 9‑inch tart pan, letting it fall into the edges. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides, trimming excess with a knife or rolling pin.

    Time: PT10M

  5. Freeze the tart shell

    Place the assembled tart shell in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm the butter before baking.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Blind bake the crust

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the frozen shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights (or dried beans). Bake 20‑25 minutes until the edges turn light golden. Remove weights and parchment, then bake another 10‑15 minutes until the base is a very light golden brown.

    Time: PT35M

    Temperature: 350°F

  7. Prepare dry ingredients for pastry cream

    In a medium saucepan whisk together 3 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ tsp salt.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Infuse milk with flavor

    Add 2 cups whole milk, the seeds and pod of 1 vanilla bean, and the zest of half an orange to the saucepan. Heat over medium‑high until just boiling, then boil for 1 minute.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Combine wet and dry, cook pastry cream

    Remove the vanilla pod and orange zest. Whisk 2 eggs in a separate bowl, then slowly pour the hot milk into the eggs while whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan, add the dry ingredient mixture, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 3‑4 minutes).

    Time: PT7M

  10. Add gelatin and butter

    Stir in 1 tbsp butter until melted. Sprinkle ¼ tsp powdered gelatin (pre‑softened in 1 tbsp water) into the hot cream and whisk until fully dissolved.

    Time: PT3M

  11. Cool and chill pastry cream

    Transfer the pastry cream to a shallow bowl, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation, and refrigerate until completely chilled (at least 2 hours, up to 2 days).

    Time: PT5M

  12. Whip heavy cream and fold

    Whip ¼ cup heavy cream to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pastry cream until fully incorporated, creating a lighter, more voluminous filling.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Fill the tart shell

    Spoon the pastry‑cream mixture into the pre‑baked tart shell, spreading evenly to the edges.

    Time: PT5M

  14. Set the filling

    Refrigerate the filled tart for at least 2 hours, or until the pastry cream is firm.

    Time: PT2H

  15. Arrange fresh berries

    Just before serving, gently pile about 5 cups of fresh red berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.) on top of the chilled tart. Handle the berries with clean hands or a spoon to avoid crushing them.

    Time: PT10M

  16. Serve

    Slice the tart with a sharp knife, wipe the blade between cuts, and serve at room temperature.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
410
Protein
5 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
22 g
Fiber
4 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, contains gluten, contains dairy, contains eggs

Allergens: wheat, dairy, eggs

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Red Fruit Tart with Vanilla Pastry Cream

Recipe by Martha Stewart

A stunning 9‑inch tart with a buttery shortbread‑like crust (patsu cray extra), silky vanilla‑orange pastry cream set with gelatin, and a generous pile of fresh red berries. Perfect for a summer dinner party or special occasion.

MediumAmericanServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
3h 8m
Prep
52m
Cook
29m
Cleanup
4h 29m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$12.58
Total cost
$1.57
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Keeping the butter cold while making the crust dough
  • Chilling the dough before rolling
  • Blind baking the crust without over‑browning
  • Tempering the eggs and adding gelatin while the cream is hot
  • Folding whipped cream gently to retain air

Safety Warnings

  • Hot milk and pastry cream can cause severe burns – handle with care.
  • Gelatin must be fully dissolved in hot liquid; avoid inhaling powdered gelatin.
  • Use oven mitts when handling hot pans and removing weights.

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